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Granderson among four regulars getting rest

5/9/14: Curtis Granderson rips a double to right field to score Daniel Murphy for an early 1-0 lead

By Anthony DiComo
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- The Mets' lineup assumed a different look for Sunday's series finale at Citi Field, with Curtis Granderson among four regulars sitting idle against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels.

Manager Terry Collins saw the game as an ideal chance not only to rest Granderson, who had reached base safely in 15 of his last 17 games, but also to insert Eric Young into the lineup. Young, who had started just one of the Mets' first nine games since Juan Lagares' return from the disabled list, finished 3-for-6 with two stolen bases.

"It's been hard for him," Collins said. "But he's a pro. We talked in Colorado. He said, 'I totally understand what's going on and I'll be ready when you need me.'"

Collins also rested first baseman Lucas Duda, shortstop Wilmer Flores and catcher Travis d'Arnaud against Hamels, though all but Flores eventually appeared in the game. He and reliever Gonzalez Germen were sidelined due to illness, and may not be available for Monday's game either.

"I don't even think Wilmer put his uniform on," Collins said. "I don't know what it is, but we've had some pretty sick guys this week."

For Duda, who also sat out Friday due to food poisoning, such days of rest won't come often. Collins plans to start him Tuesday against Yankees left-hander Vidal Nuno, as well as regularly versus right-handed pitching. He should play in all four Subway Series games against the Yankees, either at first base or designated hitter.

Though Collins has hinted in the past that he would eventually like to shift Duda into the cleanup spot, he said that with the way Granderson has performed lately -- seven RBIs in nine games, thanks in large part to four multihit games in his last nine starts -- a change is not imminent.

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.